Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1887-12-09
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
Many Reforms Recommended "A Hatioua
penitentia v


Penitentia
WAsHINGToN, Dec 6.-The annual re-
port Of Acknowledgement Garland gives
full account of the business OF the de-
partment during the fiscal wear. The
number OF ordinary suits now pending in
the court of claims is ITO, involving the
sum OF $l3, 1000 The number Of
cases filed under the Bowman act is 1910
involving about $50 100000. Petitions
filed in the French spoliation cases mum
Der $500, representing 1856 vessels and
about $50, 000, 900.
During the fiscal year 1777 civil suits
were terminated; 922 judgments were
for defendants, 703 were dismissed. 26
were appealed to the circuit court, and
"a to the supreme court During the
year there were - ,907 criminal prosecu-
tons, mostly for violations of the Gus
toms and internal revenue laws.
The encouragement calls attention to
| the suggestions and recommendations
made in his last annual report in regard
to matters calling for remedial legisla-
| ton and again urges the necessity OF i'm
| mediate action thereon. These subjects
are as follows; Fees Of marshals in ter
ritories pay OF deputy marshals in ter
! ritories, pay OF deputy marshals, revision
Of the fee bill, substitution Of the fiscal
| for the calendar year, protection to civil
officers and witnesses fees Of witnesses
and jurors, and criminal procedure, per
jury and. jnries in the District Of Column
| Dia. In regard to the confinement and
and treatment OF United States prisoners
the attorney general SAYS he is more
! than ever convinced of the absolute
need of government penitentiary and
reformatory. He also calls attention to
the necessity for additional legislation
for restoring AMI preserving court
records, and makes an urgent appeal in
behalf OF certain changes in the judi
cial system Of the country.
| The attorney-general urges an appro-
| priatiCn for the erection, on ground ada
cent to the department Of Justice, OF a
suitable building for the accommodation
Of the supreme court and other courts
/ and commissioners OF the United States
| He also asks that congress provide for
furnishing portraits OF the judges OF the
supreme court to adorn the chambers OF
| that court. Attention is also invited to
the necessity Of extending the jurisdie-
| ton OF the federal courts to crimes com
mitted upon American vessels navisat-
ing the great lakes Congress is urged
to take some action for settiemento OF out
standing claims OF witnesses and jurors
for services during and prior to the year
1885.
NO PASSES FOR L. =. MARsHALs
The Encouragement says increased
expenses in the service OF process has
been the experience of the department
since the passage OF the interstate COM
merce bill. Prior to the passage of that
bill marshals were furnished with free
transportation over the various lines OF
railways, while in the service OF process
Since that date, however, no free trans
porta.ioh is furnished, and the railways
charge mileage greater than the fees
allowed the marshal for his travel in
such service.
The Encouragement in closing his re-
port devotes a chapter to consideration
OF the French spoliation ect. He says !;
''The difficulty OF the questions involved
suggests the necessity OF v-gilant, ex-
haustive iudicial investigation. | there
fore recommend the passage OF an act
amending the act of January so, 1883,
which shall confer authority upon the
court OF claims to render Judgment IN
cases provided for by the act instead OF
reporting their conclusions to congress,
as now required to do, and to grant either
marty. government or claimant, the right
OF appeal to the supreme court OF the
United States. From the decision OF the
court of claims on suit dled under the
act of 1885 it is not probable that either
government or claimant will 6ndit neces-
sary to resort TO appeals in more than
few cases. but as the law stands now no
appeal can ~ tsksn by sither pafg.